Mole-trap



(No Model.)

msm'rz.

MOLE TRAP.

No. 549,977. Patented Nov. 19, '1895.`

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOHN SEITZ, OF HAYSVILLE, INDIANA.

M oLrE-,T RAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,977, dated November 19, 1895.

Appunti@ filed March 23, 1895.

be capable of catching a mole in whichever direction it travels, and shall be thoroughly efcient in practice.

To this end the invention consists in a trap comprising a suitable frame, a pair of oppositely-disposed slings or chokers, a pair of spring-arms for operating said slings, and a pair of triggers adapted to lie in the path or burrow in which the mole travels and to be operated by the mole for releasing the springarms and causing the latter to exert their tension for drawing the slings through and between suitable guides, thereby causing said slings to grasp the mole and choke it or prevent its escape.

The invention also consists in certain features and details of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mole-trap constructed in accordance with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view thereof.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 1 indicate two longitudinal and parallel bars, which are connected bya centrally-arranged transverse bar 2, said bars 1 and 2 being formed of wood or any suitable or preferred material and constituting the main supporting-frame of my improved trap. A centrally-arran ged vertical post or standard 3 is secured upon the transverse bar 2, and is provided at its upper end with a notch or slotet for the reception of a pair of spring-arms 5, as shown. The spring-arms 5 are preferably formed from a single piece of spring-wire, having several central coils 6 lserial No. 542,955. (No model.)

for imparting increased elasticity thereto,and with a downward extension or eye '7, lying in :the slot 4 in the upper end of the standard 3,

being secured in place by means of a bolt and nut S. A' perforated metallic U-shaped cap 9 is fitted over the 'upper end of the standard or post 3, being perforated to receive the bolt 8, and also having a central opening for the passage of the downwardly-extending eye of the spring-armed device, theobject of said cap being to prevent the upper end of the standard 3 from Vsplitting and also to afford a firmer support for the spring-arms.

. The spring-arms 5 at their outer extremities are provided with eyes 10, from which small pendent chains or cords 11 extend downwardly to about the horizontal plane of the frame 1, where they are attached to and support eachy a'circular sling or choker in the form of a wire loop 12, lying between and adapted to move vertically within the space between two parallel pieces of wire 13, secured to pins 13, projecting laterally from the ends of the frame-bars 1. Acentrally-arranged connecting wire or cord 13b prevents the sling from escaping from between the wires 13. The slings or wire loops 12 may, of course, be of any preferred form or size, and the springs 5 for operating said slings may be made from spring-wire of any desired gage having the necessary spring power. A longitudinally-extendin g bar or support 14, passing through a mortise 15 in the vertical standard 3, projects laterally upon either side of said standard and is bifurcated and perforated at either end to receive the vertically-extending arms 16 of a pair of triggers or shovels 17, projecting downwardly beneath the frame-bars 1 and in longitudinal line with the slings or loops 12 when the trap is set. At or near their upper ends the arms 1G are notched, as shown at 18, to engage the outer opposite extremities of two catches or plates 19, which are supported at their inner ends beneath stationary blocks or cleats 20. From convenient points intermediate the ends of the catches 19 chains orkcords 21 extend upwardly to and connect with the springs 5 for holding the latter down and allowing the slings or loops to occupy a position beneath the frame-bars 1, as indicated in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing description the opera-Y IOC tion will be readily understood. Vhen the trap is set, as shown in Fig. 2, the base-frame is placed upon the ground just over the burrow made by the mole and pressed downward until the triggers 17 lie in said burrow, and the slingsw or loops 12 are then adjusted so that they will surround the burrow in such a way that the mole will pass through one or the other, according to the direction in which it is traveling. A suilicient amount of earth is now banked up over the base-frame to hold the same iirmly anchored. As the mole advances through the burrow which it had formerly made it comes in contact with the shovel or trigger 17, rocking the lower end thereof inward toward the center of the trap, throwing the upper end of its arm 1G outward, releasing the catch 19, and allowing the springarm 5 to act, by means of which the sling or loop l2 is drawn quickly upward with the full force of the spring, thereby grasping the mole between the lower portion of the loop or sling and the parallel guiding-wires 13 and preventing its escape or choking it in a manner that will be readily understood.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction maybe resorted to without departing from the principle or sacriiieing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a mole trap, a supporting base or frame comprising a pair of longitudinal bars spaced apart and rigidly connected bya central transverse bar, and a pair of parallel wires extending across and connecting the projecting ends of said longitudinal bars, in combination with an upright or post secured to said transverse bar, a bifurcated bracket or support extending lon gitudinally from said post, a trigger pivoted to said bracket, a spring arm projecting longitudinally from and connected with the upper end of said post, a loop or sling suspended from the free end of said spring arm, a horizontally disposed catch plate engaging at one end beneath a stop on the post or upright and also engaging at its opposite end the upper end of the pivoted trigger, and a flexible connection between said catch plate and spring arm, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a mole trap, a suitable base or frame, and a vertical post or standard mounted thereon, in combination with a spring arm mounted in said post or standard, a verticallymovable sling or loop connected with said spring arm and actuated thereby, a pair of parallel wires or guides attached to the base or supporting frame for directing the movements of the sling or loop, a wire extending around and connecting said parallel wire or guides and forming a stop for limiting the upward movement of said sling or loop, a trigger pivotally supported upon one side of the vertical post or standard and projecting at its lower end beneath the base or supporting frame, a horizontally disposed catch for engaging the upper end of the trigger, and a chain or cord interposed between said catch and the spring arm, all arranged and adapted to operate, substantially as set forth.

The herein described mole trap, the same comprising a pair of longitudinal bars spaced apart and connected by a central transverse bar, a vertical post or standard arising from said transverse bar and provided in its upper end with a downwardly extending slot or notch, a perforated metal cap secured to the upper end of said post or standard, a spring arm passing through said cap and into the post, parallel guiding wires connecting the projecting ends of the longitudinal bars, a loop or sling suspended from the spring arm, and means for setting and releasing said sling, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto ailixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN SEITZ.

litnesses FRANK L. BETZ, HERMAN ECKERT. 

